Page 61 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

“Is it as delicious as usual?” Leo asked, trying for levity when he really wanted to just keep pestering his brother and make him explain why he wouldn’t seek a new healer.

Jasper gave a weary smile. “Just letting you know, Trent puts a lot more honey in to try and mask the taste.”

“I’ll remember that for next time.”

“Is Trent still shacking up with that horticulturist?” Jasper asked.

“It seems so.” Since the accident, Trent had been the one going to get the elothea seed for Jasper from the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium. The emporium was owned by a siren. And recently, Trent had been spending his nights with said siren.

Previously, Trent had made the tea for Jasper when he got home at night. But since he’d been going to see the siren after work and staying the night, he’d started giving the seeds to Leo so he could make the tea.

“Good for him.” Jasper grabbed a pie, a cheese and onion pie that Leo and Percival had made that morning. “And you and Percy? How’s that going?” Then he chuckled. “Actually, I don’t need to ask. I can hear the two of you at night. I know things are going well.”

Leo couldn’t stop the grin from taking over his face. “He’s wonderful!” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know he and I have only been together for a short time, but we get along so well. The feelings I have for him…” He trailed off.

“What?” Jasper asked.

“I’ve never felt like this for anyone before. I can’t get enough of him. We spend all our time together, and I still feel like it’s not enough.” Leo’s chest swelled as if it might burst with the feelings he had for Percival. “He just makes me really fucking happy.”

“I’m glad.” Jasper smiled, reached over, and squeezed his knee. “You deserve to be happy.” He studied Leo’s face. “You’re practically glowing.”

“I can really see us having a future together,” Leo confessed. “And I get the sense that Percy does too.”

Jasper continued to smile, but then it wavered, a shadow sliding over his face. His smile grew tight. He looked to the window.

“Jas, what’s wrong?” Leo shuffled forward.

Not meeting his gaze, Jasper shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Look, I know something is wrong. I know you aren’t telling me everything. I can feel it.”

Jasper didn’t respond or look at him.

“Please, Jas. You used to tell me everything. I’m your brother. Your twin!” Leo reached out and gripped Jasper’s shoulder. “You know you can tell me anything.”

“There’s nothing to tell!” Jasper snapped. He knocked Leo’s hand off his shoulder. “Why can’t you just fucking leave it? Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

Leo recoiled. “I?—”

“Just leave and go back to your phoenix. Be happy.” Jasper hunched his shoulders. “Forget all about me. I don’t need you nagging me all the time. I am dealing with enough already.”

Leo sat, speechless. Jasper and Leo had spent so much of their lives fighting and bickering. It had been a huge part of how they’d communicated. It had been a huge part of who they were. Quick to anger. Quick to forgive. But there’d never been any real vehemence beneath it.

He’d never felt the rage that rolled off Jasper now. He’d always known his brother loved him, and vice versa.

How has it come to this?

Leo blinked rapidly. But he stayed seated. He couldn’t leave his twin. Not like this. He couldn’t. “I’m sorry, Jas. I didn’t mean?—”

“No.” Jasper let out a breath. “Shit. I’m sorry. Don’t apologise. I—” He sagged. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped like that. I’m just exhausted and tired. I just can’t deal with?—”

Leo held his breath. For a second, he thought Jasper might finally open up to him, might tell him the things weighing on him. But then Jasper just shook his head.

“I just hate being sick. That’s all. I’m always exhausted. My head aches. My body aches. My heart—” Jasper gave Leo a pained smile. “It all just makes me lose my temper. You’re a good brother. I’m sorry, Leo.”

“It’s fine.” But he knew there was more to it. Something was eating at Jasper. But Jasper wouldn’t tell Leo.

He tried to swallow the bitterness of that fact.